Novi Detroit Catholic Central might be best known for its high-powered offenses that put up video game-like numbers.
The reality? The Shamrocks (2-0) often have great field position because of the work their defense. And that starts up front with assistant coach Mike Lewis and the defensive line.
“Our staple has been having a tremendous defensive line that puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback and keeps the offensive line off our linebackers,” coach Justin Cessante said after a 56-14 win over Davison on Friday, Sept. 4. “And that lets the linebackers flow and make plays, so it’s good to see that tradition continues.”
Through two weeks, it certainly has. And that includes junior Josiah Neal making a name for himself.
Which makes sense.
The 6-foot-3,
230-pound defensive end runs a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and is in the top 10 on some of CC’s all-time weightlifting leaderboards. He also has an 82-inch reach, allowing him to easily maneuver around linemen.
His strength is bull-rushing through tackles and tight ends and getting to the quarterback as quickly as possible. If he doesn’t record the sack, he’s at least making it tough for the QB to get off a clean throw.
“You see him tearing people apart, pushing people back and manhandling them, and he makes it a lot easier for me, you know?” said safety Gideon Gash, who’s committed to Texas Tech and rated a four-star safety by 247Sports. “The quarterback doesn’t get a lot of time to go through his reads and make great passes, so it makes my job a ton easier, knowing the quarterback is going to be rushed. Even on my pick-six in the first game [against Clinton Township Chippewa Valley], Josiah got to him and threw a bad pass because of Josiah.”
The craziest part about Neal’s game? He’s just getting started.
In fact, he only has an offer from Miami (Ohio). If he continues the trajectory he's on, more colleges will notice him. Especially if he dominates once Catholic League play starts in Week 4.
“He’s just getting better, learning how to work, learning how to process, learning how to be consistent in practice,” Cessante said. “He comes out here and plays inspired football. He’s very athletic. He’s strong. When he gets going, he’s hard to stop. If you’re a tackle, you’re going to have your hands full with him.”
Davison certainly struggled to slow down Neal.
He applied constant pressure to Cardinals QB Max Persails, who finished 10-for-23 passing for 125 yards, one TD and one interception. Sixty-three of those yards and the TD came after the starting defense left the field following the running-clock rule.
Neal also had an early fumble recovery at the 26-yard line that set up Ryan Jaafer for a 14-yard TD run moments later.
Then came his biggest play.
Neal dropped Persails for a 12-yard loss in the second half by simply shoving the sophomore to the ground. There was no wrap-up. It was just a rag-dolling.
“He’s an underdog, but if you look at him, you’d think he’s a five-star,” said Gash, who led the Shamrocks to the victory with five catches for 157 yards and three TDs. “He’s starting to play like it, too. He was definitely underrated going into his season, but I bet he’s going to get these offers and new [college] looks. I’m super excited for him because he’s got a great head on him and a personality that everybody loves.”
Of course, part of that personality includes his reserved demeanor.
Neal doesn’t have a lot to say. He’d rather let his work speak for itself.
Right now, that makes Neal one of the loudest players on the field.
“I’m just doing my job,” Neal said. “Just putting in the work.”
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Follow him on X at @folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Catholic Central's most underrated player looks like a 5-star
